7 Ways You Know You Need a Blueprint Storage Rack

No matter how often you clean your desk, do you always seem to have stacks of papers and folders sprawled out? What about filing cabinets that never close because of documents spilling over the drawers?

The truth is, you don’t have to work in a constant mess; using a blueprint storage rack can save you the time and trouble in searching for those cluttered documents. This is but one way you know it’s time to get a blueprint storage rack.

With a blueprint storage rack, you can easily thumb through oversized files, artwork, blueprints, documents, and more.

That being said, read on to find out when you need to use one in your office!

1. You Continue to Ask Questions

Where’s your son’s drawing he made you in first grade? You’re not sure when was the last time you saw your company policy folder—you know you’ll need to bring that to your annual meeting. What about that report you were about to submit?

Questions about next steps for your project, brainstorming ways to improve the company culture—these are questions you don’t need to be worrying about.

It is when you starting asking questions like the above when you know you may need to get your office more organized.

Especially if you find yourself constantly asking questions about documents, it may be time to get a blueprint storage rack.

That way, you can quickly hang up your son’s first-grade drawing, company policy folder, and report. Within a couple of minutes, you’ve found the report you need to turn in. And, when that annual meeting comes, you’ll know exactly where your company policy folder is.

2. It Takes You More Than 10 Minutes to Find Documents

(This is along the lines of #1.) Not only are you asking yourself questions about where you last put insert-document-name but it is taking you 10 minutes and longer to find what you’re looking for.

According to Daily Mail, we lose roughly 9 items in a single day, which adds up to 198,743 throughout your life.[1]

As you might not be surprised, paperwork stands at the fourth most frequently lost item (with your cell phone and keys taking first and second place). [2]

In the end, it takes about ten minutes to find our misplaced items. What this shows is that you’re not alone when you misplaced your binder at the office or need a minute or two (or ten) to search for your keys.

However, just because this is normal doesn’t mean you have to waste 10 minutes (or more) looking for something when you don’t have to. This is when a blueprint storage rack comes into play.

Why not take note of the most common items you misplace and make sure you hang those up on the rack? That way, your blueprint storage rack can be the first place you go to should you not be able to find something. And, if you stick to this rule, most likely you’ll find what you’re looking for in nothing flat.

3. You May Have Been Passed for a Promotion

You’ve worked at the company for yours; let’s face it, you’ve put in your time. But when push comes to shove, you are passed up for that promotion repeatedly.

While there may be several reasons why this is the case, interestingly enough, your messy desk may be holding you back.

As the OC Register states, a survey shows revealed that 28% of bosses were not as likely to promote someone whose desk was disorganized.[3]

Meanwhile, more than 38% stated that a stack of papers negatively affected their perception of the employee.[4]

What this shows is that if you want that promotion, you may need to make more of a consistent effort in being more organized. In which case, the blueprint storage rack can help.

4. Co-Workers Judge You

Speaking of company culture, your co-workers may make judgment calls based on your disorganization.

Similar to your boss’ perception, a study polling 1,000 workers indicated that more than half (57%) judged their coworker based on the cleanliness (or dirtiness) of his or her desk.[5]

Nearly 50% of employees considered a very messy desk appalling and thought the coworker was lazy.[6]

If you see coworkers scowling or walking quickly by your desk, this may be the case. (However, it could very well be something else.)

In this sense, judgment or not, it may be time to utilize the blueprint storage desk to get that clutter under control.

5. You are Stressed

Yes, other factors other than a messy desk may be a reason for why you are stressed at work. Upcoming deadlines and that conference call next week could be two of them.

However, a messy workspace does not help. In fact, it can add to the stress. The reason being, it takes your brain longer to process the clutter versus if the items were neat and organized.

So, in order to give your brain a break, tidy up your desk and incorporate that blueprint storage rack into your office to get those papers organized and off the ground.

6. You Stay at Work Longer

Again, there could be a number of reasons why you are clocking out late. However, messiness may be an unforeseen reason why this keeps happening.

Remember when we told you it takes ten minutes to locate misplaced items? Well, that time that could have gone into that report was spent looking for your project folder. Which meant that you had to stay longer in order to finish it.

You may want to grab that blueprint storage rack to help you with those lost items and, because of this, you’ll spend less time at your office and more time at home.

This can help solidify a consistent routine and help you maintain a healthy work-life balance.

7. You are Tempted to Toss Semi-Important Documents Out

While it is up to you what you want to toss and keep, there is another solution than spending a day sorting through paperwork.

Why not use a blueprint storage rack, which can hold hundreds of blueprints, artwork, oversized files, documents, and more.

That way, you don’t have to decide which important document is less important. And, should that day come where you need to use that one folder you seldom open, you’ll be glad you saved it instead of discarding it—along with the rest of the not so relevant documents.

Final Thoughts: Blueprint Storage Rack is One Step in the Right Direction

A blueprint storage rack can help you get clutter off of your desk. In doing so, you may just get that promotion, co-working may think you’re not lazy (which we already know), you won’t have to deal with mess-related stress, or toss documents away you may not have wanted to. This and more.

What other signs are there that it’s time to get a blueprint storage rack? How has your storage system decluttered your office space? Please be sure to comment in the comments section.

Summary

Continue to ask the “where is…” questions could be a sign you need some organization in your life

If it takes you 10 minutes or more to locate misplaced items, rest assured, you’re not alone; it may, however, be a good idea to solve this by using a blueprint storage rack

According to research you may have passed for a promotion and co-workers may (falsely) assume you are lazy because of your messy desk

In order to change these assumptions, you may want to clean your workspace

Continual stress and working after hours could be signs of disorganization—all of which a blueprint storage rack can solve

Tempted to throw out documents for the sake of cleaning out the clutter? You may not have to; blueprint storage racks can store hundreds of blueprints, oversized folders, documents, and artwork, to name a few

What this means is that folder you may or may not use in the future can be stored safely among other documents in your new organizational system

Should a day come when you need it, you know where to find it—and will spend 10 less minutes searching for it!

Overall, a blueprint storage rack is a step in the right direction

It can alleviate mess-related stress, change your coworkers’ perceptions of you, and possibly even get you a promotion and, who knows, maybe even a pay raise

Considering a blueprint storage rack? Contact Big Blueprint Hanger to learn more about it. And, while you’re at it, be sure to check out our other organizational products and informative articles.

Contrary to popular belief, creativity and organization are not on polar ends of the spectrum.

Many creatives do not excel at their craft when their environment is extremely messy and unorganized. Instead, there needs to be some constraint in order for it to flourish. In other words, complete freedom—freedom without constraints—may be stifled.[1]

To ensure this does not happen, read on to learn how creatives can create organization that will enhance their creativity (#3 includes blueprint storage systems).

But First, Who Are Creatives?

And, by creatives, we do not just mean artists, writers, and performers. Scientists, entrepreneurs, teachers, and marketers are creatives too. As Forbes contributor, Steven Kotler says “Creativity is the act of making something from nothing.

It requires making public those bets first placed by imagination.”[2] This could mean designing an experiment that appropriately tests a hypothesis.[3] Or, creating a new curriculum for the start of the semester.

How is Creativity in the Office Stifled?

Creativity in the office gets stifled when managers are more focused on producing the “perfect” report or “perfect” process.

With perfectionism being the goal—not producing something original being a great customer service experience, new product or service—creativity is starved.[4]

So, it takes a balance between organization and perfectionism for creativity to come out.

Questions for Creatives to Ask Themselves

What can creatives do so that their creativity flourishes? How can they incorporate organization into their lives? Read on to find out!

1. What Do I Want to Accomplish Today?

Pick three tasks you want to accomplish a day. These are your priorities. While you may not have gotten to other to-dos, it is for certain that you did check these off when you walk away from the office. When choosing your top three, make sure you are realistic.

If you have a meeting with a client that you know will run at least an hour, perhaps choose smaller top threes you can do in a half hour or hour?

Creative Tip

According to the Huffington Post, creativity can be boosted when the creative has intrinsic motives to do an activity.[5]

That said, if you are not feeling like doing a task or feel as if your creativity is lacking, come up with intrinsic reasons why you should do the task. This may not only get you up and moving but the task may be done more creatively than it would have.

2. How Much Time Do I Have Left?

Damien, a well sought-after designer, puts his own constraints so that he can get the most out of his creativity. He will normally go with his gut instinct because, in order to meet the short deadline, he does not have enough time to second-guess.[6]

Whether you are a graphic designer or librarian, you can make the most of your creativity by either setting a timer, using the Pomodoro Technique or simply seeing how much time you have left to finish that project or wrap up for the day.

3. What Does My Work Space Look Like?

Interestingly enough, creativity and organization do not entirely go hand in hand. According to a study, those who were in a messy room compared to a tidy room were able to come up with more creative uses for ping pong balls.[7]

Nonetheless, tidier rooms were linked to higher expectations and healthier choices. At the end of the day, if you want to be more creative, perhaps it is time to let the clutter pile a little?[8]

At the same time, clutter is also associated with stress. This is where a blueprint storage system can come into play. Since each hanger can hold up to 60 prints, which makes it easier to quickly hang up oversized folders, blueprints, graphics, etc. in a couple of minutes.

Creatives then have enough freedom (while having a time constraint) and a messy desk to work on their project and then quickly stash the clutter away in the blueprint storage system.

4. Am I Asking the Right Questions?

To get more creative responses, reframe the question. In doing that, your brain pulls from your memory in order to help you answer them.[9]

In a nutshell, the more difficult the question is, the more creative the response will be.[10]

If you are a kinesthetic learner, it may help if you list your questions on paper—physically writing them down. For visual learners, imagine the question. And, more auditory learners, ask the questions out loud.

You could even organize a time in your workday where you brainstorm (and problem-solve) that upcoming report or project.

5. What Does My Organization Space (and Process) Look Like?

While this may be contrary to #3, everyone’s organizational spaces can look different. In fact, Joan Rivers created an intricate filing system to catalog her jokes.

You may not be a professional comedian but do whatever helps you maintain some sense of organization. That may mean having the stereotypical bulletin board up in your office with an assortment of colored sticky notes. Whatever it is, if it works, stick to it.

6. Do I have a Consistent Routine in Place?

Creatives are not routine phobic. In fact, novelist, Haruki Murakami mentioned that his routine consists of writing in the morning for five to six hours, then a 10-km run or 1500 m swim. And, during the evenings, reading and listening to music.[11]

Even if you are not a novelist, you can create a routine (and stick to it) that enhances your creative energy. This could be getting coffee in the morning, reading the news online, and then hitting emails for an hour before starting on your project for the day (or your top three priorities).

7. Am I Working More in the Mornings?

If you do stereotypical creative work, research shows it may best to do it in the mornings. According to Psychology Today, 72% of creative people did their work in the mornings compared to those who routinely did it at night (15%).[12]

So, you may benefit from being an early riser and hitting the work hour before 7.

Final Thoughts: That Blueprint Storage Systems May Come in Handy

No matter what creative work you do—be it in science, mathematics, teaching, marketing, or dance—it is important that organization plays a role in your day.

This can be organizing your office space (but keeping some clutter) by using the blueprint storage system. And, create a consistent routine (that you stick to); in fact, 88% of stereotypically creative people have (and follow) a strict routine.[13]

Nonetheless, you want to make sure that your organization works for you, and that you have enough constraints in place to allow your creativity to flourish.

How else can you boost your creativity in the workplace? Be sure to leave a comment!

Summary

Overall, creativity and organization are not on opposite ends; one needs the other

12 Tips Parents Can Use to Help their Children Improve their Executive Functions (Includes Using a Blueprint Storage Rack!)

According to Understood, children who misplace items, frequently lose track of time, don’t finish tasks, and procrastinate until the last minute may have issues with executive functions.[1]

These executive functions, WebMD states, are a variety of mental skills, which are controlled by the frontal lobe.[2] The article goes on to state that the brain continues to develop and that children who may once have had trouble with executive functions—such as time management and organization—may not face these same problems nearly as bad in adulthood. That is, of course, dependent on the child’s experiences as he or she grows up.

To help your child gain more control and strengthen his or her executive functions, read on to learn what tips you can incorporate into their daily life so that they can thrive (#11 includes the blueprint storage rack.)

Signs Your Child May Need Some Help Strengthening Their Executive Functions

Your child may not be able to estimate with time. They lose track of time easily, may say “5 more minutes” but 5 turns into 10, which turns into 15, which turns into a half hour.

Also, they may be messy, leaving papers on the ground, the table is disorganized, the chair isn’t pushed in, etc. This isn’t a one-time or two-time deal; they routinely do this, needing insistent reminders to clean up.

This may be a sign that the child isn’t aware of time and space, not that they are lazy.[3]

Does Your Child Have ADHD, Dyslexia, or Another Disorder?

The truth is, your child could have a brain disorder—or not. Monitor what your child does and speak to a professional to determine if this is the case and what proper avenues you can use to help your child get the help they need.

At the same time, know that several children do exhibit these traits but don’t have a disorder.[4]

Ways You Can Help Your Child Stay Organized

Still, you can help your child by teaching them how to set goals and follow through with them, let alone stay organized and consistent. Here are some tips how.

1. Create To-Do Lists

Help your child set goals. Ask them what they want to accomplish and guide them, using realistic expectation in the form of a to-do list.

If your child can read and write, help them create one. Try to incorporate all of the learning styles—kinesthetic, visual, and auditory—when creating the list. For instance, for kinesthetic, have your child physically write out the list. Then, for visual and auditory, have them read the list out loud.

You can also use different colors or signs to highlight the level of importance, which can also help with visual learning.

2. Routine, Routine, Routine

Set a routine to help your child have a sense of consistency. Set a time for bedtime, meals, activities, etc. It doesn’t have to be on the dot, just as long as the child has a foundation of stability.

3. Use Positive Reinforcement

Positive reinforcement helps reward and encourage positive behavior. Such examples of positive reinforcement include praise, free time, special outing, etc. While some people use treats as a form of positive reinforcement, it may not have a healthy effect on the child.

For instance, if your child does his or her homework, perhaps give them the opportunity to play outside? Or your child finishes his or her chores. Take them out to the park?

By encouraging children to use their executive functions by providing positive reinforcement, you help them organize their time, stick to one goal, and accomplish it in one go.

4. Ditch the Distractions

Maybe the TV is on in the background. Or you have the music on. Distractions such as these may pull the child’s focus away from the activity they have to do. That or force them to concentrate harder, which takes more work. To help your child stay on task, minimize distractions by providing a calm environment.[5]

5. Create a Chart

Track homework and chores with a chart. Have your child physically check off the box when he or she is finished with the chores and homework. That way, the child can physically see the accomplishment, as well as see the progress he or she has made throughout the week.

6. Set Expectations

What do you expect from your child? What does your child expect from himself or herself? Help he or she come up with the words and consistently hold your child accountable to those expectations.

That could mean helping your child come up with an expectation at the beginning of the day, and then following up at the end to see if your child completed it or not. Doing this consistently will help your child set goals and complete them and to take expectations seriously.

7. Reflection

(This ties into #6.) At the end of the day, help your child review his or her day. What does he or she wish she would have done differently? And then help him or her come up with practical ways he or she can accomplish that. What’s something he or she is proud of?

8. Embrace Spontaneity

At the same time, while routine is good, room for spontaneity and creativity are important. By having a stable base in routine and expectations, the child can explore, create, and imagine.

9. Break Activities into Chunks

Some homework assignment may take a couple hours. Others may take 15 minutes. Help your child come up with a realistic time expectation for each, including transition and settling in times.

If the assignment is long, don’t be afraid to break it up into chunks. Perhaps, the research for the first hour, and then a break? Then write the rough draft for the paper later or the next day. That way, your child learns how to pace tasks.

10. Refrain from Yelling

While it can be tempting when you are frustrated, take a couple deep breaths instead of yelling at your child.

Children may become scared and insecure, according to a Healthline article.[6] Instead, calmly explain the frustrating behavior. That way the environment continues to be secure and children feel safe to do their chores and homework.

11. Help Keep the House Clean and Tidy, Using a Blueprint Storage Rack

A blueprint storage rack is great for hanging up artwork, past class assignments, folders, and files. Since each hanger can hold up to 60 blueprints, rest assured that you won’t be needing to put several filing cabinets in your house.

By keeping the house tidy, your child won’t be distracted by the clutter, and can more easily focus on his or her homework.

12. Let Children Blow Off Steam with Physical Activity

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, children and teens need roughly an hour of physical activity every day.[7] Not only does physical activity improve health but it helps them stay focus. If your child has ADHD symptoms, it can reduce those. And, it can also improve memory, among a host of other benefits.[8]

Final Thoughts

By keeping a tidy environment (using organizational pieces such as the blueprint storage rack) you help your child cultivate organization and strengthen their executive functions. That and providing structure and stability will facilitate and cultivate better goal setting and achieving, completing tasks, and minimize procrastination.

What other tips do you have? Leave a comment.

Summary

Children who may need to strengthen their executive functions exhibit misplacing items, putting things off until the last minute, getting off track, etc.

Some children who show these patterns have ADHD or another disorder; others don’t; it is best to have a professional rule this out

Help your child to set and achieve goals by creating daily to-do lists

Help foster a routine and use positive reinforcement to reward and encourage positive behavior

Minimize distractions such as TV and loud music while creating a chart so the child can see how they’ve progressed throughout the week

Set expectations and work with your child to reflect whether they were met, and what steps they can follow to ensure it does get met next time

Nonetheless, embrace spontaneity, which will help boost creativity, exploration, and imagination

Keep the house tidy by using the blueprint storage rack

Try not to yell, and let the child blow off steam via physical activity—at least one hour daily

If homework or chores are too cumbersome, help the child break them up so that they are doable

For more information about the blueprint storage rack, feel free to contact Big Blueprint Hanger!

14 Productivity Hacks for Teachers (Including Blueprint Storage Rack)

We often put productivity hacks with the 9-to-5 office job or overworked college students acing finals. But what about teachers and children? With the new school year just getting started, teachers are busy as ever. Children too are in that transition phase from summer to kicking school off with new homework assignments and projects. It’s safe to say, it wouldn’t hurt to have some productivity hacks. Read to learn how teachers can leverage stereotypical “office hacks” in the classroom so he/she can have a more productive and manageable school day. (# includes blueprint storage racks!)

1. Pomodoro Technique for Kids

We’ve discussed the Pomodoro Technique in our last article. In case you’re unfamiliar with the technique, this method involves doing an activity for 25 minutes straight. After the 25 minutes are up, you take a 5-minute break. After working four 25-minute increments, you are rewarded a 15- to 20-minute break.

How to incorporate it in the classroom?

The Pomodoro Technique is great for clear, straightforward tasks. In other words, spontaneous tasks—such as free time—may not work with this technique.

Instead, use it when students are doing individual work. Perhaps you’ve taught addition and subtraction and children are practicing addition problems? After the 25-minute period is up, children can take a 5-minute stretch break? Especially given children’s short attention spans, this technique rewards students for their focus. Teachers can also apply this method to grading papers and creating lesson plans, effectively getting more done in less time.

2. Peak Productivity Times

Every student has their own productivity peak time. Some may be in the morning, others in the afternoon, and some after lunch. Observe classroom behavior, noticing when children are paying attention and when they’re inattentive. You don’t have to record peak times down. Simply, making a mental note of when your students are most engages will make planning scholastic activities easier.

You can plan new concepts and lessons around the most attentive time period. While scheduling free time and activities that involve concepts students are familiar with at the least attentive.

3. Meditation

Meditation has been linked with increased focus. Not to mention, reducing stress and increasing happiness.[1] Why not incorporate it in the classroom? Even taking 5 minutes out of the day to teach children how to sit still can have positive benefits. Try meditating at the beginning of the day, setting an intention on the type of school day you and your students want to have.

4. Free Time

Otherwise called innovative creative time, this time period is for creative exploration.[2] Since students are going from one activity to the other, always in the “doing” mode, it helps to change things up and allow students time to innovate. During this time, children can draw, build blocks, read…—anything that has to do with thinking outside of the box.

5. Designate a Specific Time to Check Your Email

It’s hard throughout the school day for teachers to have any free time, let alone time to check their email and make the most of the break that they have. By designating a specific time, teachers don’t need to go through emails on their days off or after school. This leaves them more time to relax at home and come to school the next day feeling refreshed.[3]

6. No Busy Work

It’s easy (and, at times, necessary) to pile on the practice work. But busy work—work that’s simply for the sake of doing—isn’t productive and, in fact, doesn’t help anyone. When planning assignments, simply ask yourself what the purpose of this assignment is? If it takes you a minute or so, chances are, it’s more busy work than productive work. If you’re on the fence, perhaps it’s not so much the lesson that needs to be changed but how the lesson is conveyed.

7. Have a Plan B

It’s a student’s birthday. There’s a fire drill. Today’s an assembly. There will always be events that interrupt the regular school day. Having a plan B makes it easier when dealing with these interruptions. And plan B can be as simple as doing the other half of the activity the next day.

8. Make Organization Fun

Let’s face it, students aren’t running to clean up and organize. That’s because it’s treated more as a chore than a game. Make organization fun by choosing a random, mysterious object that needs to be put away. Then, tell students that whoever picks the mystery item up wins a prize. (Of course, you don’t let on what the item is.) After the cleanup period is over, reward the student who picked up the random item.

You can also have a cleanup song. When students hear the song, they know it’s time to clean up.

You can also encourage teamwork by setting the timer. Students must try to cleanup before the time is up.[4]

9. Don’t Multitask

As we’ve mentioned in our other blog posts, our brains have a hard time multitasking. We think we may be experts, but, according to science, we actually spend more time jumping around from activity to activity. Try to create a learning environment where students are encouraged to only do one thing at a time. This will help keep student’s attention and decrease stress.

10. Schedule, Schedule, Schedule

We often clump scheduling with meticulous color coding and post-its. But, in reality, scheduling works best when you do it your way. You can literally take out a sheet of paper and jot a few notes down. 5 minutes. Done.

11. Print Lesson Plans the Night Before

Make it a point to print your lesson plans the night before. That way, you don’t forget them at home. Or need to wake up a minute or two earlier to print them out.

12. Store Students’ Artwork in Blueprint Storage Rack

The blueprint storage rack cuts down on space while decreasing clutter. Conveniently place one of the racks next to cubbies or in the corner. Each blueprint hanger can hold up to 60 pieces of artwork. If you have a class of 30 students, that’s 2 pieces of artwork they did during the week. The blueprint storage rack allows piles not to build and helps keep the classroom clean and tidy.

13. Try to Only Do Work at the Class

While your students may leave around 2 or 3, you have lesson plans to go over, projects to grade, and permission slips to check off. You’re looking at least at 2 hours of extra work. Did you know that you’re the most productive 3 hours out of the day? According to an Inc. article, the average employees only work to the max for 2 hours and 53 minutes.[5]

So, spending extra time at home working won’t really solve the productive problem. Try to do work at your most productive peak time of the day. If you can’t, make it a point to only do work at the classroom. That way, you’re able to separate work from home and can decompress on your commute back home.

14. Work According to Your Age Group

Did you know an 18-year-old works differently than a 35-year-old? Yep, according to CNN Health, your prime work schedule depends on your age. Late teens to early to mid-twenties sleep and wake up later than older adults.

This is because of the levels of melatonin that are released during certain period of the day. In the young adults’ case, that’s later in the day. People in this age bracket then would probably do the best work after 10 am.

People in their mid-twenties to thirties could create a schedule based on their own preferences but be mindful of irregular shift work, which could have adverse health effects based on one’s own genes. Forty and above, the article stated, should try to do less than 25 hours a week of work so to not be fatigued.

Depending on your age, it may be beneficial to try out the corresponding schedule.

Summary

Use the Pomodoro Technique for kids; have them work on individual activity for 25 minutes and then take a 5-minute break

Observe when students are the most attentive, and then schedule the most in-depth lessons around that time

Incorporate daily meditation into the classroom to promote focus

Carve out free time for students to create and innovate

Choose a specific time to check emails so you have more time to spend relaxing at home

Ask yourself if you’re assigning busy work when making lesson plans

Have a Plan B for your Plan A

Make organization fun with games

Encourage a no-multitask environment where students are only focused on one thing at a time

Print lessons the night before

Incorporate a blueprint storage rack into your classroom

Only work at class

And work according to your age group

Use all the tips or some, whatever works for you and your class. For any questions or comments, contact us!

15 Ways to Be More Productive (#7 Includes Blueprint Racks Storage!)

Do you feel like the doggy paddling to stay afloat in life seems like it’ll never end?

If so, you’re not alone. Actually, according to the Atlantic, you really only have around 30 hours of leisure per week.[1]

When you break it up over a 7-day, 168-hour week, that’s not a lot. (It’s little more than a full day!).

How do you make the most of it? What productivity tools can you use to increase that number (or at least not decrease it!).

Read on to find out! Plus, #7 includes productivity office furniture hacks such as using blueprint racks storage.

1. For 15 Minutes, All You Do Is Organize

Dedicate 15 minutes a day to only organization. This time could be used at home or the office, just as long as it’s consistently taken. [2]

For instance, take those 15 minutes to sort cluttered paper into 3 productivity piles: do, read, and file.

Then, on the next day, you can take 15 minutes to file the papers in the “file” pile, schedule in when and how to get the “to do” papers done. And skim over the “to read” papers to determine how much time you’ll need to dedicate in order to fully ingest the material.

2. One In, One Out

You can also spend those 15 minutes going through your office, tossing out junk you have no use for. Use the one in, one out rule to speed up the process.[3]

Basically, this rule calls for tossing out one item for every item you add to your office space.

You can even go as far to apply this rule to mandatory items such as receiving a new FEMA binder from your boss.

(You’d then toss out an unnecessary item—like the old, outdated one. Or that dead plant that’s an eyesore on your desk.)

3. Accomplish Goals by Prioritizing

Most people either don’t accomplish or procrastinate on their goals because they’re too big and overwhelming. To decrease the stress and turn an unmanageable project into a source of accomplishment, list and break down the goals.

This should be done each day and week. For example, let’s say you want to finish an in-depth report by the end of the week. Give it a number. How much of a priority is it for you? Does this take precedence in your work life?

If it is, it gets a number one. You’re going to then map out steps you need to take to get the job done. (And these will take precedence over the other steps for lesser goals.) In other words, finish the daily steps to getting that report done first before you start working on that bid.

4. Schedule in Time for the “Trivial Things”

According to Entrepreneur, it takes on average 26 minutes to get back on track after doing a trivial thing.[4]

Some trivial things include checking email and social media, IM’ing with a co-worker, taking an additional 15 minutes to go through the paper piles, throwing unnecessary paper and clutter away, and so forth.

The article goes on to state that taking time out to do unnecessary and unimportant tasks really hampers how productive your work day is.

While let’s face it, your email does need to get checked. Social media channels need to be updated to promote your products and/or services. And you enjoy those 10 minutes of IM’ing Alex about after-work plans.

That’s fine. Schedule them into your day. Plan on checking your email when you first come in, before and after lunch, and right before you leave. Set similar times for social media. (Or, better yet, assign the social media task to an intern.) And, as for IM’ing, set aside work breaks (which we’ll go more into detail) to talk with Alex.

5. Schedule Breaks to Avoid Burnout

Working nonstop for (at least) 8 hours a day, 5 days a week is a recipe for burnout. Those stressful hours won’t be put to productive use. Instead, you’ll be focusing your energy on not losing your concentration, falling asleep, or staring into space aimlessly.

That’s why you need to schedule breaks throughout your work day.[5] And not just one but multiple. Take a 10-minute break after you get done with 2 hours of writing that report. Schedule a 15-minute break 2 hours after lunch.

You can even schedule them more frequently; whatever works for you. (Read on to learn the Pomodoro Technique, which makes break taking easy and doable!).

6. Divvy Up Onsite and Offsite Tasks

Back to that report that’s due Friday. Let’s say you need to still do research, call a couple of clients, and write the first draft. Divide up the onsite and offsite tasks.[6]

That time would be put to good use with no interruptions from co-workers. In this case, these tasks would be best done offsite, where you can control the level of interruptions and collaboration.

On the other hand, collaboration and idea-bouncing tasks are great to have onsite. Perhaps you can have one of your co-workers read your first draft and give you feedback. Then juggle some ideas back and forth on how to write the second draft.

8. 1-3-5 Rule

While it may seem like a lot, remember the level of time you need to accomplish each will vary (i.e. the one big task taking the most, the 5 small tasks taking the least.)

Try tackling the big task first, then the medium, and lastly the small. That way, you’re not burned out at the end of the day when all you have to do is check your emails and file your documents.

9. Pomodoro Technique

Remember scheduling in those breaks? Well, the Pomodoro Technique[8] does that for you. Basically, you focus for 25 minutes on work, no interruptions or diversions.

Then, after that 25-minute work period, you take a 5-minute break. For those 5 minutes, get up, stretch, use the restroom, fill up your coffee cup, do anything other than work.

Once the clocks up, do another 25-minute period and repeat.

10. Say It

Tell a co-worker when you plan to submit your part of the project.

Email the client when you’ll give them your bid.

The point is, tell someone. Put it out into the universe. By doing this, you make more of a commitment to getting it done because it’s harder to break a commitment with others than with yourself.[9]

11. Get a “Do Not Disturb” Sign for Your Office

Sometimes, you can’t physically leave your office and have to get “offsite tasks” done onsite. During those times, a “Do Not Disturb” Sign on your office door is your best friend.

If it’s an especially important task that needs your undivided attention, you can send out an email to co-workers an hour below telling them to not disturb you. Coupling that with the sign will ensure you tackle that task head on, without the unnecessary delays.

12. Take 15 Minutes at the End of the Day to Plan for Tomorrow

Yes, you’ll need to take an additional 15 minutes. But this time, it’s at the end of your day. Your last 15 minutes will be spent jotting down to-dos for tomorrow. Scheduling in last-minute items.

And planning on how you’ll organize your time the next day.

Summary

Take out 15 minutes to organize: Divide paper into 3 piles, marked do, read, and file

Toss out one item for every new item you bring to your office

Prioritize, prioritize, prioritize goals

Schedule breaks to monitor burnout

Use rules and techniques like the Pomodoro Technique and the 1-3-5 Rule to help you with this

Take scheduling a step further by dividing up offsite and onsite tasks

Should you not be able to leave the office, hang up a “Do Not Disturb” sign

It’s safe to say that the workspace and the way we view it has changed, thanks to advanced technology, globalization, and a new generation of workers—aka millennials.[1]

We’re realizing that we can’t just throw a bunch of employees into a couple of rooms and expect the same level of productivity.

Which is why we’ve compiled several studies that looks at the revolutionized workspace through a contemporary, critical lens.

Because shockingly twice as many employees are disengaged from their employment…worldwide.[2]

It’s time we find out why and leverage solutions, such as the blueprint storage rack, to boost productivity.

Realizing the Assumption

The corner office is the best place to be.

If you find yourself in that space, you’ve spent years dedicating time, blood, sweat, and tears to that company.

You see, here’s how it goes.

The senior, high-ranking employees are awarded the corner offices with the great skyscraper view.

The rest of the mid-level employees are divvied up into cubicles. Or less prestigious rooms.

As John Vogel points out in a US News article[3], we assume that despite the spacious “prestigious” offices or cramped, boxed-in cubicles, every employee is supposed to churn out the same volume and quality level of work.

Everything You Need to Know About a Blueprint Storage Rack

The truth is, Americans are accumulating more stuff. To be exact, according to the LA Times, the average American home has 300,000 items.[1] (Read on to learn how a blueprint storage rack helps.)

The same article states that a quarter of people with a 2-car garage don’t actually have room to park their cars inside it. And only 32% have room to park one car.

However, this stat says it all: we’ve consumed twice as many material goods compared to 50 years ago.[2] And these materials aren’t cheap.

A Wall Street Journal article pegs American material goods spending at $1.2 trillion…per year.[3] In other words, we spend a lot of money on “stuff.”

Reasons why we accumulate stuff

But what gives? Why are we spending more on nonessential goods?

We could chalk it up to a lot of reasons. Material possession, for one, brings a sense of security to many.

Also, for a lot of people, items hold symbolic and sentimental meaning. Perhaps your now-passed grandmother gave you a treasured family heirloom.

Or you can’t let go of those concert tickets because they’re associated with your teenage years.

You may then pass these possessions down to your kids. So, they may not only receive your things but your parents’ parents and so on. Meaning the further accumulation of stuff.

Surprisingly, we may have more stuff simply because it’s easier to. We have eBay and Craigslist. Not to mention, most brick-and-mortar retail stores now have an online store as well.

And we live in a society where posting your possessions via social media is encouraged. This provokes us to buy more stuff. Because who doesn’t want the latest iPhone that Chris posted on his Facebook wall?

So, what now?

This brings us to the end-all, be-all question: what can we do about it?

Because a bunch of stuff lying around wreaks havoc on our brains, productivity, and mood.

This doesn’t mean investing in a storage unit. It literally entails making the most out of your available space. So, taking advantage of wall space (aka vertical storage) as well as nooks and crannies.

And with that, a blueprint storage rack can come to the rescue.

You see, your accumulation of stuff doesn’t just end at your house. It extends to your workspace too. The beauty about a blueprint storage rack is that you can use it for your house and workspace.

It can also get you the best of both worlds: ultimate organization and no need to throw away precious heirlooms and memorabilia.

How?

Read more to find out!

Plus, learn the many ways you can use this storage system, and who benefits from it the most.

But first, what exactly is a blueprint storage rack?

In a nutshell, this is a storage system that allows you to hang blueprints, artwork, oversized files, drafts, iron-on transfers, hanging print files, samples, and patterns.

The main reason why it offers more storage space than your typical file cabinet is the hangers. You can get either aluminum or poly hangers. Both can hold up to 60 prints.

Given that your average filing cabinet can only hold roughly 27 inches of space, you’re much more likely to store more files, blueprints, and so forth in the rack. Plus, it can hold a variety of sizes, not just your standard file dimensions.

While this storage system can hold a number of documents, it is perfect for blueprints, hence its name.

That said, what are blueprints?

Basically, a blueprint is a design plan or technical drawing that communicates an idea.

Its purpose is to provide a road map, making that intangible idea become a tangible one.

This is when it’s more beneficial to hang them up. Since a (24-inch) blueprint storage rack are capable of holding up to 4,000 prints, it will be a while (or never) before you run out of room. This gives you plenty of time and space to organize.

So, who needs this product?

Here’s who benefits the most:

-Architects

-Graphic Designers

-Risk Management

-Engineers

-Landscapers

-City Planning

-City Zoning

-Teachers

-Anyone who has a significant number of files

-Clothing Designers

-Artists

-Anyone who wants to display their samples or have them on hand

-Anyone who has a home office

-Anyone who has a cluttered office and/or home

What are the benefits?

A blueprint storage rack has many more benefits than just size. Here’s how it helps:

Better Organization

Many contractors have blueprints (rolled-up and not rolled-up) piled on top of their desks, bunched in file cabinets, you name it.

Unfortunately, while it’s quick and easy to just lie a blueprint or drawing on your desk, it does build up.

This level of disorganization could cost you a client (hence profit loss), lowering your business reputation and adding hours to your workday.

Instead, spend two minutes’ tops hanging your blueprint on the rack. Getting in the habit of doing this prevents clutter, which lowers stress and allows you to lead a more balanced and healthy lifestyle.

Less possibility of causing a safety hazard

If you need to leave the building immediately for whatever reason, disorganization can cost you minutes. In some cases, this won’t matter.[6]

But you never know. You may find yourself in a situation where minutes, in fact, do count.

To ensure you’re able to enter and exit your office easily, reduce clutter by hanging up blueprints and oversized file folders on the blueprint storage rack.

And, on top of this, paper and cardboard boxes are very flammable. Depending on the circumstances (i.e. smoker, matches or lighter not extinguished, damaged power cord…), you could increase your chances of starting a fire.

Again, hanging your drawings and samples away from your desk will decrease the possibility of this happening.

Since we do live in a litigious society, it’s not worth the risk of a possible lawsuit.

Helps prevent ergonomic injuries

According to a Safety + Help article, “Perhaps the most prevalent injuries in an office setting are related to ergonomics. Because office workers spend the bulk of their day seated at a desk and working on a computer, they are prone to strains and other injuries related to posture repetitive movement.” [7]

By having your files and blueprints hung up to where you have to get up and move from your chair does help to prevent these types of injuries.

Getting out of your seat

Sitting throughout your workday does increase your risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, not to mention a slew of other health consequences.

So, not only would you limit ergonomic injuries, but moving to get files from the blueprint storage rack would help in lowering your risk of health effects associated with sitting.

Studies even show that standing while working can increase your productivity levels and decrease stress.[8]

No file cabinets falling over

Yes, if file cabinets aren’t secure they can fall over. This normally happens because they’re packed with files and documents, which causes a weight imbalance. And then…voila! It falls.

Filing cabinets that do fall over can cause further office damage such as damaging power cords (which, as we mentioned, can lead to fire hazards) as well as damage to the floor and/or office furniture.

With this type of rack, you don’t have to worry about a weight imbalance (because of the hangers with finger space) or the blueprint storage rack falling over. This prevents damage, aka less money.

No trip risk, as opposed to file cabinets

Tripping from file cabinets…

Yes, there is such a thing.

Forgetting to close filing cabinets or not being able to (because they’re stuffed) can cause tripping. This can and does apply to desk drawers as well.[9]

Utilizing the aluminum and poly hangers can help prevent trips from happening.

Ordering is a drag…so you don’t have to

Perhaps you work at a school or corporate office where ordering new office furniture requires more time and effort than it’s worth.

You have to fill out an order sheet. The order sheet is approved and processed. Overall, this process can take days, and, depending on the company or organization, months.

This makes it a drag when you need office furniture and supplies. And some people do end up forking over their own money to bypass this lengthy endeavor.

That’s fine for pencils (not really but it’s doable), but not when you need another file cabinet.

To not be sucked into the system, a blueprint storage rack can store more than your typical file cabinet. This eliminates the need to fill out that order sheet and stack excess papers and boxes (which then prevents safety hazards remember?).

More space

Ok, so you’re out of horizontal space. Why not go vertical? We mentioned this in a previous article, but let’s go more in depth.

Unfortunately, with filing cabinets, you can’t stack two on top of each other. (Two words: not safe.)

Benefits of organization

But did you know you’re more likely to choose healthier food options when you work in a tidier environment?

Eating Habits

An experiment[3] had participants work in a neat space for 10 minutes two times per day. Those that did this were more likely to choose an apple over chocolate. The opposite effect happened to participants who worked in a messy office during those same time intervals.

Ok, suppose you’re having one of those days where nothing seems to go right. You do lose those nine items.

Let’s do the math.

If it takes us on average 10 minutes to locate one lost item, multiply that by nine, and you spend around 90 minutes looking for those misplaced office items.

That’s a lot!

If you take the time to organize your office space, you’ll have less of those days. That means some of those 90 minutes can be spent working out.

So, a tidy desk really does promote exercise.

Social Effects

A lot of times, disorganization can lead to shame and embarrassment.

Remember in our previous article we mentioned it does matter what people think of us?

In case you don’t, here’s a brief snapshot. It’s not that we care very much what people outside our circle think of us; it’s the people inside who matter. This circle includes family, friends…and co-workers.

So, when we have a messy desk we may not want to draw attention to ourselves and our messiness. We may be afraid of our co-workers’ judgments.

If 65% of HR managers perceive employees with messy offices less professional, it’s safe to say some co-workers may believe the same.

Even if no co-workers’ perspectives change, we’ll start to become worried, believing that they have.

Nonetheless, this shame and embarrassment build up, making us not want to interact with our co-workers, whether that means teaming up on a project or shooting the breeze for a few minutes.

Our own messiness creates a physical (the clutter) and emotional boundary around us that prevents us from letting people in…

As you know, humans are social. It’s in our nature to interact with people. Poor social health leads to a slew of health problems such as developing a cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, autonomic dysregulation and even an early mortality.[8]

How can you defeat this clutter and increase social interaction?

You can incorporate one of the blueprint storage systems to make your office tidier. This tidiness establishes trust and professionalism and makes you look more reliable and in control.

Plus, it’s more convenient for employees to share information with you and vice versa. Since physically there’s more room to spread a project out on. And you’re not embarrassed or ashamed of your office.

Sleep

Yes, disorganization in the workplace messes with your sleep.

According to the Sleep Foundation, young adults (ages 18-25) need 7-9 hours of sleep per day. Adults, 26-64 in age, still need those 7-9 hours. It doesn’t change until you’re 65 years and older. This age group needs 7-8 hours of sleep daily.[9]

In order for us to get those 7-9 hours (or 7-8 hours for seniors), we need to finish work at a decent time.

Spending up to 90 minutes looking for missing items or that important project in a messy room wreaks havoc on your sleep.

You’ll come home an hour or so later than you normally would.

Because of the increased stress associated with a cluttered workspace, you’ll feel worked up.

Due to this stress and poor time mismanagement, you won’t get those 7-9 (or 7-8) important hours of sleep.

You’ll wake up tired, go to work, and the cycle repeats.

Use the blueprint storage systems. An organized space will get your circadian rhythm back on track.

You’ll save more money

65% of HR managers stated a messy workspace affects their perceptions of the employee’s professionalism (we mentioned this in the beginning).

Well, these higher-ups are responsible for giving you bonuses, raises, and promotions.

So, having a clean work area may benefit you financially.

Not only could your professional reputation with your superiors earn you more money, but you’ll save the company more money.

By being organized by backing up your files, you’ll save the company money. And if this organization carries over to your workspace, you’ll get more work done. (Tidy workspaces mean more productivity.) Because of this, you’re more likely to get a bonus, raise, and/or promotion.

You see, it pays to be organized.

How to beat clutter

Now that you know the benefits of a tidy workspace, learn what steps you can take to have an organized office.

If you’re having trouble with this, as some office items don’t really bring joy, try changing the question to “Does this have a purpose?”

If it does, keep it. If it doesn’t, discard.

The KonMari method stresses to purge by category rather than area. So, first go through your office supplies. Then, tackle the files…

Once you’ve decided which items stay and which go, give each item that stays a permanent “home” or designated spot.

Ok, how do you maintain the tidiness when papers come in?

What to do with incoming paper

Simple. Have two trays for incoming mail. That way, people can quickly drop off a document without adding to your clutter.

Separate the trays, “Old” and “New.”

The “New” tray is for newly dropped off mail, documents, and files. Designate a time of day to sort through the “New” pile, separating them into “important and urgent,” “urgent but not important” and “non-urgent and not important” areas.

If you’re strapped for time, place the “New” papers into the “Old” tray. That way, you have a day or two to sort through the stack without feeling overwhelmed.

Read on to learn more organizational tricks…

Organize by frequency

This goes hand in hand with the “important and urgent” … areas. The most “urgent and important” should be the closest to you, while the “non-urgent and not important” is farther away.

That way, you’re in arms reach of the critical stuff you need to deal with that day.

This is important, as it’s easy to become sidetracked while walking to pull out a file or document.

Use vertical file holders to make this happen.

In a CNN Money article, Amy Trager, a professional organizer, stated that “vertical file holders help avoid stacking folders on top of each other and overlooking the ones, not on top.”[14]

Unfortunately, this is a common scenario for many who don’t have appropriate office storage. And it can cost you more than merely rescheduling a meeting.

You could lose potential and current clients, compromise your reputation, and risk your job position. All because you can’t locate a specific file, blueprint, print, or sample.

This is why you need a blueprint storage rack.

A blueprint storage rack makes the most out of minimum space, storing up to 120 prints per hanger and up to 20 sets per average-sized rack.

But there’s more to it than just this.

Learn the detrimental effects of clutter, and how a blueprint storage rack can make your life a lot easier.

Experiment shows more mess equals less persistence

According to an article from the Harvard Business Review, people exposed to messy workspaces were less likely to stick to a challenging task.[1]

In an experiment, 100 subjects were exposed to either a cluttered or neat workspace. Afterward, in a separate room, they were asked to do a “challenging” task: Draw a geometrical figure without taking their pencil off the paper or retracing any lines.

(This, in fact, is an impossible task.)

The subjects exposed to the neat workspace attempted the task 1.5 times longer than those exposed to messy workspaces.

1,117 seconds (on average) compared to an average of 669 seconds.

What’s the reasoning behind this?

Your brain perceives the messy workspace as a threat. Simply looking at the mess drains your brain, depriving its mental resources that should be applied to the work at hand.

Because the messy workspace deprived the subjects’ mental resources, they had less mental capacity to apply to the challenging task.

Tidier workspace and better focus on hard tasks

What we’re trying to get at is a blueprint storage rack can help you tidy up your workspace.

The oversized files or blueprints you have lying around can easily be hung with aluminum or poly hangers.

By neatly storing your files and blueprints in this 1 tier storage rack, you free up your workspace.

As we know from the experiment, a tidier workspace means less mental energy wasted. More time and greater stick-to-it-ness on hard projects.

Less rumination

We are a social species. What people think about us matters.

We are in many different social standings: family, friends, co-workers. Some people interlap.

An article in Scientific American says it best, “It is only when our social standing is threatened that we begin to wonder … what are people going to think?”[2]

So, when you have a messy desk, you may spend more time ruminating about what your co-workers and boss think of you.

What do co-workers think about your messiness? Do they think it represents your quality of work?

Less time actually getting stuff done. And less energy to stick with harder tasks.

The blueprint storage rack alleviates the possibility for rumination. Because your blueprints are stored and organized, you can allot and leverage all your mental resources on your work, challenging aspects included.

Study indicates more clutter, less productivity

We’ve alluded to this, but we’re going to go more in depth here. A cluttered environment not only affects your persistence levels but productivity as well.

A Princeton University study[3] concluded that physical clutter competes for your attention (we mentioned this earlier in the HBR experiment). It drains your productivity levels.

So, your physical clutter on your desk and in your filing cabinets is causing you to spend less time on what needs to get done.

Greater productivity

Lower productivity levels affect the chances of getting a raise, promotion, or maintaining a high reputation among co-workers and clients.

To increase your productivity, use a blueprint storage rack.

It’ll reduce your clutter—they might even erase it—and you just might get that promotion or bonus you’ve been competing for.

Study proves more clutter, higher stress

The same study also attributes clutter to higher stress levels.

Physical clutter literally floods and overwhelms your senses. This then makes you feel stressed. The increase in stress inherently blocks any type of creative thinking.[4]

But to get over the clutter you can multitask, right?

Multitasking actually stresses you out too. Your brain doesn’t do better when multitasking. It does worse. Multitasking creates what researchers dub “spotlighting.” Your brain switches feverishly from one activity to the other, trying to accomplish something.[5]

You can actually see this in action, where one area of the brain lights up for a couple seconds. Then it switches to another.

By using a blueprint storage rack, you’ll get that clutter off your desk and reduce your stress. And you won’t feel the need to even attempt multitasking.

Stats show our total accumulation of clutter

The truth is, Americans consume twice as much stuff as we did 50 years ago.[6]

In our lifetimes, we will spend 3,680 hours (153 days) looking for misplaced stuff. Research states we misplace up to nine items every day. That’s 198,743 items in our lifetimes. Phones, keys, sunglasses, and yes paperwork are on the top of the list.[7]

Science behind throwing away clutter

And it’s hard to throw it away.

The same areas (anterior cingulate cortex and insula) in the brain for pain lights up when you part with items that hold sentimental value.[8]

Prevent this pain with a blueprint storage rack

Still have your first blueprint?

Maybe you have a fond work sample you cherish?

You don’t have to go through that pain in tossing it.

Simply store it in a blueprint storage rack.

How has clutter and a messy workspace impacted your life? Let us know in the comments below.